Natural Shorelines

——- Our Kennisis Lakes Shorelines, Keep Them Healthy for Our Water Quality ——–

Vegetated shoreline buffers, also known as the ‘Ribbon of Life’, are essential to the health and sustainability of Canada’s freshwater and our Kennisis Lakes.

Evidence from many scientific studies show that vegetated shoreland buffers:

  • Naturally protect the water quality of lakes, rivers, and streams by intercepting nutrients and harmful pollutants.
  • Mitigate erosion.
  • Provide food and shelter for wildlife, including many at-risk species.
  • Contribute to the beauty and economic value of waterfront properties.
  • Protect freshwater ecosystems from the impacts of climate change.

The restoration and maintenance of vegetated shoreline buffers is widely promoted by scientists and Lake Association Lake Stewards as an effective best-management practice for freshwater health.

Unfortunately, the removal of native vegetation from shorelines due to development has become a harmful and growing trend across Ontario’s cottage country and is a major factor in the decline of water quality and wildlife communities.

The following resources provide information on the importance of natural shorelines and how waterfront property owners can take action on their own properties to help keep our lakes healthy.

Watersheds Canada Report

The Science Behind Vegetated Shoreland Buffers: Why the Ribbon of Life Matters  

CHA Haliburton Resources

CHA Natural Shoreline Information 

Check out this CBC article which describes the importance of maintaining natural shorelines on water quality and the wellbeing of aquatic and land-based wildlife. 

Waterfront Landowners Urged to Protect Shorelines

Natural Shoreline Support in our Community

There are a number of local resources that can help you with advice and planting to restore your shorelines or provide you with native plants and shrubs to renaturalize your shorelands.

Local Suppliers of Shoreline Restoration Services and Native Plants

Haliburton County and Dysart et al Shoreline Regulations

The County of Haliburton and the Municipality of Dysart have passed bylaws governing Shoreline Preservation.  They provide for significant fines and penalties for removal of trees and vegetation within the property shoreline setbacks. The links below includes various details related to the stricter rules and includes details of the steps you should take if you suspect trees along the shoreline are being injured or destroyed illegally.

The Dysart et al Bylaw applies to the Kennisis Lakes although the Haliburton County Tree Preservation applies to our Lakes as well.

The Dysart Site Alteration Bylaw regulates what a property owner can do to their shoreline with the objective of protecting our lakes through shoreline protections.

Dysart Site Alteration Bylaw

Additional Shoreline Protection information from Dysart

Dysart Protect Your Lake Pamphlet

The Haliburton County Tree Preservation Bylaw applies to Dysart et al in concert with the Dysart Shoreline Bylaw  

Haliburton County Tree Preservation Bylaw 

Haliburton County Shoreline Preservation (Does not apply to Dysart et al but has taken an excellent approach to Shoreline Protection):

Haliburton County Shoreline Protection